This introductory course offers insights into the critical and theoretical frameworks, as well as the wide-ranging practices and outputs associated with applied arts theatre. Through a range of participatory learning methods, students will be asked to combine an exploration of the ethical and representational issues at play within this field of theatre-making, with the development of skills required to further pursue a career in the socially-engaged, justice orientated arts sector.     

8 x 3 hour in-person Seminars 

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The standard assessments for this course are:

■ Equivalent of 1000-reflection in either a BLOG, Audio Recording or VLOG format - 20%

■ 2,500-word essay focused on Case Studies - 50%

■ Project Proposal Workshop Presentation (group assessed) - 30%

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available:

■ There is no alternative to the blog/vlog, but a flexible deadline can be offered as reasonable adjustments (students should follow the usual process for extensions)

■ There is no alternative to the essay, but a flexible deadline can be offered as reasonable adjustments (students should follow the usual process for extensions)

■ Alternative medium as an alternative to the presentation.

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.

This course aims to:

■ Provide an overview of the rich local and international historical legacy of applied and/or community theatre

■ Introduce leading ethical and academic discourses surrounding applied theatre in a contemporary context

■ Offer insights into the wide-ranging pedagogies that are employed within applied theatre practice, as well as the broad contexts within which these processes take place

■ Strengthen students' knowledge of practical, logistical and creative skills required to practice applied theatre in a professional context

■ Provide a learning experience that expands each student's experience of participatory methods in practice 

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the key theoretical and critical discourses underpinning contemporary applied theatre 

■ Apply an intellectual and ethical rigour when examining the relevant pedagogical and methodological approaches taken across the professional discipline 

■ Reflect openly, and critically about their own positionality in relation to the applied or community contexts they are interested in engaging with

■ Demonstrate an embodied understanding of facilitation, collaboration and key creative practices that are central to applied theatre-making processes 

■ Produce written, oral and creative work that illuminates on the core course strands, and reflects their developed knowledge across the time-frame of the module